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Overcurrent Relay The overcurrent relay responds to a magnitude of current above a specified value.

There are four basic types of construction: plunger, rotating disc, static, and microprocessor. In the plunger type, a plunger is moved by magnetic attraction when the current exceeds a specified value. In the rotating induction-disc type, which is a motor, the disc rotates by electromagnetic induction when the current exceeds a specified value. Static types convert the current to a proportional dc millivolt signal and apply it to a level detector with voltage or contact output. Such relays can be designed to have various current-versus-time operating characteristics. In a special type of rotating induction-disc relay, called the voltage restrained overcurrent relay, the magnitude of voltage restrains the operation of the disc until the magnitude of the voltage drops below a threshold value. Static overcurrent relays are equipped with multiple curve characteristics and can duplicate almost any shape of electromechanical relay curve. Microprocessor relays convert the current to a digital signal. The digital signal can then be compared to the setting values input into the relay. With the microprocessor relay, various curves or multiple time-delay settings can be input to set the relay operation. Some relays allow the user to define the curve with points or calculations to determine the output characteristics. The protective characteristic of the overcurrent relay, in terms of the impedance diagram, is a circle, assuming a constant voltage, with the relay located at the origin of the R-X coordinate diagram (see Figure 12-2). The relay operates on the simple magnitude of current passing through it according to the settings applied to the relay. The overcurrent relay may be the simplest relay in concept to use. When the current exceeds the setting value, it causes a trip. Complications in applying the relay may occur when the system does not provide adequate differentiation between current values, such as between short lines on a system with high fault current duties. When a number of overcurrent relays are used sequentially in a circuit, the trip delay times may become excessive. 12.3.4 Distance Relay The distance relay responds to a combination of both voltage and current. The voltage restrains

operation, and the fault current causes operation that has the overall effect of measuring impedance. The relay operates instantaneously (within a few cycles) on a 60-cycle basis for values of impedance below the set value. When time delay is required, the relay energizes a separate time-delay relay or function with the contacts or output of this time-delay relay or function performing the desired output functions. Bulletin 1724E-300 Page 610
Figure 12-2: Overcurrent Protective Characteristic

The protective characteristic of the distance relay, in terms of the impedance diagram, is a circle with the relay located at the origin of the R-X coordinate diagram (see Figure 12-3). The relay operates on the magnitude of impedance measured by the combination of restraint voltage and the operating current passing through it according to the settings applied to the relay. When the impedance is such that the impedance point is within the impedance characteristic circle, the relay will trip. The relay is inherently directional. The line impedance typically corresponds to the diameter of the circle with the reach of the relay being the diameter of the circle.
Figure 12-3: Distance Protective Characteristic

Since the relay responds directly to the value of impedance represented by the fault current and voltage applied to the relay, it will discriminate more correctly between the location of faults since the electric power system also may be represented by its impedance. The distance relay may be used more successfully on an electric power system when the magnitudes of fault current do not provide adequate location differentiation to be able to accurately trip specific breakers and isolate a fault. Bulletin 1724E-300 Page 611 The distance element in a relay may be used when a component of the electric power system, such as a transmission line, has defined impedance characteristics. Several distance elements are often used, with the circles passing through the origin of the R-X diagram, to provide several zones of protection for the system component. Additional zones of protection will be used with timers to provide direct protection, or without timers and used in pilot protection schemes requiring communications from all remote terminals of the transmission line. Distance elements may be used for out-of-step protection with the first zone impedance characteristic passing through the R-X impedance coordinate diagram origin and the remaining zones concentric around the first zone. 12.3.5 Differential Relay The differential relay is a current-operated relay that responds to the difference between two or more

currents above a set value. The relay works on the basis of the differential principle that what goes into the device has to come out (see Figure 12-4). If the current does not add to zero, the error (fault) current flows to cause the relay to operate and trip the protected device.
Note: For simplicity of illustration, the CTs are indicated with a 1:1 ratio and equal currents in the primary and secondary of the CTs. Figure 12-4: Differential Relay Principle

The differential relay is used to provide internal fault protection to equipment such as transformers, generators, and buses. Relays are designed to permit differences in the input currents as a result of Bulletin 1724E-300 Page 612 current transformer mismatch and applications where the input currents come from different system voltages, such as transformers. A current differential relay provides restraint coils on the incoming current circuits. The restraint coils in combination with the operating coil provide an operation curve, above which the relay will operate. Some of the relays for specific equipment, such as transformers, use additional restraint proportional to the harmonics sensed in the incoming currents. Setting levels are based on the characteristics of the protected equipment. Differential relays are often used with a lockout relay to trip all power sources to the device and prevent the device from being automatically or remotely re-energized. The relays are very sensitive. The operation of the device usually means major problems with the protected equipment and the likely failure in re-energizing the equipment. 12.3.6 Overvoltage Relay The overvoltage relay responds to a magnitude of voltage above a specified value. As noted, the basic types of construction include plunger, rotating induction-disc, static, and microprocessor relays, all of which are discussed in Section 12.3.3. 12.3.7 Undervoltage Relay The undervoltage relay responds to a magnitude of voltage below a specified value and has the same basic construction as the overvoltage relay. 12.3.8 Power Relay A power relay responds to the product of the magnitude of voltage, current, and the cosine of the phase angle between the voltage and current, and is set to operate above a specified value. The basic construction includes the rotating induction-disc, static, or microprocessor relay. The relay is inherently directional since the normally open contacts close for power flow in one direction above a set value but remain open for power flow of any amount in the opposite direction. 12.3.9 Directional Overcurrent Relay

A directional overcurrent relay operates only for excessive current flow in a given direction. Directional overcurrent relays are available in electromechanical, static, and microprocessor constructions. An electromechanical overcurrent relay is made directional by adding a directional unit that prevents the overcurrent relay from operating until the directional unit has operated. The directional unit responds to the product of the magnitude of current, voltage, and the phase angle between them, or to the product of two currents and the phase angle between them. The value of this product necessary to provide operation of the directional unit is small, so that it will not limit the sensitivity of the relay (such as an overcurrent relay that it controls). In most cases, the directional element is mounted inside the same case as the relay it controls. For example, an overcurrent relay and a directional element are mounted in the same case, and the combination is called a directional overcurrent relay. Microprocessor relays often provide a choice as to the polarizing method that can be used in providing the direction of fault, such as applying residual current or voltage or negative sequence current or voltage polarizing functions to the relay. 12.3.10 Frequency Relay A frequency relay responds to frequencies above or below a specified value. The basic types are Bulletin 1724E-300 Page 613 electromechanical relays with a vibrating reed or rotating induction-disc with a frequencysensitive circuit, static relays, and microprocessor relays. 12.3.11 Thermal Relay The thermal relay responds to a temperature above a specified value. There are two basic types: direct and replica. 12.3.11.1 Direct: In the direct type of thermal relay, a device such as a thermocouple is embedded in the equipment. This device converts temperature to an electrical quantity such as voltage, current, or resistance. The electrical quantity then causes a detecting element to operate. 12.3.11.2 Replica: In the replica type of thermal relay, a current proportional to the current supplied to the equipment flows through an element, such as a bimetallic strip, that has a thermal characteristic similar to the equipment. When this element is heated by the flow of current, one of the metallic strips expands more than the other, causing the bimetallic strip to bend and close a set of contacts. 12.3.12 Pressure Relay The pressure relay responds to sudden changes of either fluid or gas pressure. It consists of a pressuresensitive element and a bypass orifice located between the equipment to which the relay is connected and a chamber that is part of the relay. During slow pressure changes, the bypass orifice maintains the

pressure in the chamber to the same value as in the equipment. During sudden pressure changes, the orifice is not capable of maintaining the pressure in the chamber at the same value as in the equipment, and the pressure-sensitive element mechanically operates a set of contacts. 12.3.13 Auxiliary Relay Auxiliary relays perform such functions as time delay, counting, and providing additional contacts upon receiving a signal from the initiating relay. These relays are necessary to provide the broad variety of schemes required by a power system.

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